Best Free VPNs for Android (Fast and Safe)

We’ve all heard promises of the best VPNs for Android – at least on paper. Many 100% free VPNs on Google Play claim to be extraordinary but in reality, offer little to latch onto. This doesn’t instantly mean all free providers are bad. Frankly, they’re not phenomenal either. However, if your budget has run dry, you likely have no other option. It’s either a free Android VPN or… well, nothing. Now that you’ve stumbled upon this guide, you shall not worry.

This guide will consist of 6 complimentary VPN apps for Android. We won’t discuss just 6 random picks. Our team of experts assembled the list to meet all your needs. From security and privacy to even advanced functions like streaming, torrenting, using Tor, and playing games online. Sounds great? Stay with us for more information.

The 6 Best Free VPNs for Android in 2024

Enough chit-chat. We promised and we’ll deliver. After testing hundreds of different, and some not-so-great free providers, our list shrunk to 6 options. While they’re not numerous, we can assure you they exude the quality you’ll need for daily use.

For those in a hurry, our preferred free Android VPN apps in 2024 are:

1. NordVPN – the absolute best choice, free for 30 days
2. ExpressVPN – fast, secure, and P2P-friendly (30 days of free use)
3. Private Internet Access – privacy-oriented and free for 30 days
4. Proton VPN – the #1 Android VPN that costs nothing (forever free)
5. Hide.me – unlimited bandwidth and ironclad security for $0.00
6. PrivadoVPN – a non-paid provider that also unblocks Netflix

Read further to find more valuable information about each provider from the list.

1. NordVPN

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According to our experience, NordVPN is the best free VPN app for Android. While it’s not free by default, there are a few great incentives. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can essentially use it, get a full refund, and lose nothing. It’s almost like having a truly free Android VPN.

The second is a 7-day free trial for Android users, which we really appreciate. Now, as the #1-rated option, it includes plenty of delicacies, such as unlimited bandwidth, blazing-fast speed, and a masterfully crafted NordLynx protocol. NordVPN is a staple of many users.

It comes with powerful Double VPN servers and even supports P2P fully. This allows users to enjoy torrenting and perform P2P file sharing in privacy. NordVPN also works with Netflix and unlocks almost any geo-blocked website. That’s not the case with 100% free Android VPN apps.

An important point is Meshnet, which allows for remote file sharing and access to other devices. We’ll also mention advanced options like Threat Protection, which removes malware, prevents intrusive ads and gets rid of trackers. NordVPN has a no-log policy too.

In conjunction with RAM-only servers, this feature ensures absolutely no data collection. This, in turn, means you’ll be anonymous all the time. This free VPN app for Android even supports Onion Over VPN servers, allowing you to use Tor and roam the dark web.

Let’s not forget its 10 simultaneous connections and full support for all Android devices. This means even Android Smart TVs from Philips, Xiaomi, TCL, and many others. Try NordVPN and enjoy the absolute best free VPN for Android for 30 days below.

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2. ExpressVPN

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On the second spot, we have another household name – ExpressVPN. We love its free VPN app that works on Android like a charm. It’s simple, yet viciously powerful in terms of sheer performance, security, and privacy. ExpressVPN packs 3,000+ servers in 105 countries.

After reviewing it many times, we concluded its servers are perfect for any purpose. Streaming will work fluidly, torrenting is blazing-fast, and general browsing is delightful. On a tablet or phone, you’ll get Advanced Protection which brings about many extras. For instance, you can block ads, trackers, and access to porn sites.

The VPN natively includes the Keys add-on, a mighty password manager that can be nifty in many cases. Above all, ExpressVPN uses AES-256 encryption and protects you with its Network Lock kill switch.

This is complemented by App Split Tunneling, letting you route only certain apps through the VPN tunnel. Its free Android VPN application also includes Lightway. This is an in-house VPN protocol with staggering performance and Perfect Forward Secrecy.

We appreciate its no-log policy and how commendable the company is. It currently has around 20 third-party audits, making it the most respected and acclaimed VPN around. Granted, it lacks the Double VPN servers found in NordVPN, which might be a bummer.

However, it offers 8 simultaneous connections and 24/7 live chat support that responds in an instant. Users can enjoy ExpressVPN for free for 30 days thanks to a non-conditional money-back guarantee. Oh, and there’s a 7-day free trial for Android and iOS users too.

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3. Private Internet Access

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PIA strikes a fine balance between quality and price. It’s extremely affordable and again, offers a 30-day refund policy + a 7-day free trial for Android VPN users. What’s so crafty about it? Let’s just say we appreciate its unlimited simultaneous connections.

Bear in mind Private Internet Access usually costs around $2/mo. For this silly price – if you decide to get it in the long run – you’re getting impressive security. PIA’s free Android VPN includes 256-bit encryption, a reliable kill switch, and even built-in obfuscation to get over censorship.

Furthermore, the VPN is reasonably fast, and while slower than NordVPN, its performance on Android reaches dozens of Mbps. We must stress how great it is for privacy. It uses RAM servers and has a no-logging policy proven in court a dozen times. Quite impressive.

Let’s keep in mind that Private Internet Access has many other optional and mandatory. There are cheap dedicated IP addresses, a $1/mo antivirus for Windows, and port forwarding for Android users. This can speed up torrenting and make downloads quicker.

Private Internet Access works with American Netflix, which is welcome if you’re a binge-watcher. Rest assured, we tested this provider on Android Smart TVs and can report its app is state-of-the-art. The service isn’t perfect because it lacks a Fire TV app, for example.

It’s also not the best for streaming overall but still superior to 100% free VPNs for Android. While we recommend you test it, if you’re on a really tight budget, even its premium 2-year plan at just over $2/mo might be great for you. $2 a month is almost free, after all.

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4. Proton VPN

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Okay, so if you want a VPN that costs nothing and can be used without a credit card, here’s Proton VPN. Such a VPN provides something to be happy about too – not much, though. For the start, you’re getting unlimited bandwidth and tight, Swiss-grade security and privacy.

This means Proton VPN will include standard 256-bit encryption, followed by features like WireGuard, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, and a kill switch. The free version even comes with the VPN Accelerator to speed up your connections but not by much.

Proton’s free VPN for Android also won’t keep tabs on you. The company has a stringent no-logging policy that covers free and paid users. Given its unlimited bandwidth, you can expect the performance to be just serviceable, nothing more. Some cuts must be made.

These cuts are quite numerous, mind you. Proton doesn’t work with streaming services and won’t let you watch Netflix. Torrenting and P2P, in general, are blocked as a result of unlimited bandwidth. Otherwise, you’d be getting a premium VPN for free.

Another eye-piercing problem is the lack of servers. Proton offers 5 locations, including the Netherlands, the USA, Japan, Romania, and Poland. The problem is that you can’t choose one, instead, you’re assigned the fastest server based on your current location.

Proton VPN does plenty of things right but even more wrong. Shortcomings like the lack of simultaneous connections, no 24/7 support, and no advanced security are surely heart-breaking. If you’re heartbroken, perhaps NordVPN will mend your wounds.

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5. Hide.me

Hide.me isn’t the best free Android VPN in 2024 but it’s pretty close. Again, it’s a free VPN without credit card requirements, so you can use it forever without paying a bloody dime. You’ll squeeze a bit of juice out of it, especially with its uncapped bandwidth.

This allows you to browse the internet without worrying about crossing the red line. Security-wise, Hide.me excels with its RAM servers, Private DNS, 256-bit encryption, and OpenVPN. You’ll notice it doesn’t support WireGuard, which is one of many cut corners.

Nevertheless, Hide.me resides in Malaysia, a country with great privacy laws. This translates to a logless business model that takes utmost care of your privacy. Unlimited bandwidth breeds a set of other issues typical for such VPNs. One is the lack of streaming.

No, Hide.me doesn’t work with MAX, BBC iPlayer, and others. Second, it doesn’t work for torrenting, which is another nail in the coffin. Hide.me lacks even some security features, so you won’t find MultiHop servers either. MultiHop and Double VPN are the same, by the way.

After using Hide.me for a while, we detected it has more locations than Proton VPN. At the time of ranking the best free Android VPNs, Hide.me has servers in the USA, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and a few other locations. Again, not much compared to NordVPN.

Don’t expect miracles here. Besides, it’s a complimentary VPN for Android with the “classic” issues we mentioned already. You also won’t get simultaneous connections, so only one device can be protected at a time. A stark contrast to unlimited connections in PIA.

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6. PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN is our last pick for today. We respect this VPN for its strong performance even as a free VPN for Android phones and tablets. Yes, it’s as fast as some premium choices and offers servers in many popular locations. Alas, you only get about 10-12 countries.

Either way, PrivadoVPN is the only really free option that works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer. This is impressive. Security and privacy are its strong points too. It uses WireGuard and offers a kill switch to protect you from unwanted IP and DNS leaks on all devices.

Users praise PrivadoVPN for its ease of use. Its mobile and desktop apps look identical, so the learning curve is minimal. Another point is privacy, and because it’s based in Switzerland like Proton VPN, a no-logging policy is inevitable. There aren’t any audits yet.

Now that we crossed over to the bad stuff, let’s point out the major flaw. PrivadoVPN is limited to 10 GB of monthly bandwidth. While it works for torrenting and streaming, 10 GB of bandwidth is barely sufficient for anything serious, let alone for an entire month.

On paper, PrivadoVPN doesn’t have many downsides but the notion of limited traffic already makes it a bit stingy. Users also feel constrained and scared to browse the internet freely to avoid hitting the limit. That’s why the best premium VPNs don’t have this problem.

PrivadoVPN is a nifty little provider for casual use. Like Proton VPN and Hide.me, it also doesn’t allow for simultaneous connections and lacks a few premium features like its Control Tower DNS. You’ll get more out of our first three free Android VPN apps.

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Paid vs Free Android VPN: Differences

While our list consists of 6 services, you can notice how different they are. The first 3 are premium providers that you can use for free for 30 days. The second 3 are “freemium” and you can use them for nothing, even without providing credit card data.

If you fail to see the differences, let us explain why the first 3 providers are much better.

Speed & Bandwidth Limits

The obvious difference is in speed. The first few options excel in this category and while some are faster than others, all 3 are incredibly fast. They performed well in our tests, delivering speeds of up to 320 Mbps and as low as around 180 Mbps.

Proton VPN and Hide.me are slower in comparison, pumping out speeds that hover around 100 Mbps, while our non-VPN speeds are 340 Mbps on average. The best free VPNs for Android for up to 30 days also offer unlimited bandwidth to enjoy the internet at any moment.

While Hide.me and Proton VPN repeat the trend successfully, PrivadoVPN caps at 10 GB. The latter is also quite fast but at the cost of traffic limitations. As you can see, 100% free providers always skimp on bandwidth and speed in one way or another.

Streaming & Torrenting

Streaming is one of the main reasons to use a VPN. People aren’t aware that not every Virtual Private Network is suitable for this purpose. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and PIA are great and work with an array of streaming platforms. Proton VPN, Hide.me, and PrivadoVPN aren’t.

The first two, in particular can’t unblock any streaming services. Netflix, BBC iPlayer, MAX – you name it. These providers also offer limited server locations, so you’ll be getting from 5 to around 10 in total, making getting over geo-blocks difficult.

We also must mention torrenting as another key factor. Premium providers have no issues with it, while the latter 3 VPNs do. Proton VPN and Hide.me don’t allow P2P and PrivadoVPN’s 10 GB of bandwidth does nothing to improve the VPN despite P2P allowance.

To remind you, premium providers have zero issues in this regard, plus, they offer 100+ worldwide countries on average.

Security & Privacy

Free VPNs suffer from the lack of security and privacy – at least most of them. Our selected free VPNs for Android are safe and secure and we can’t really complain. Still, you’ll notice they lack many features that they offer to their premium users.

Hide.me lacks OpenVPN, while Proton VPN doesn’t offer Secure Core servers in the free plan. PrivadoVPN lacks its Control Tower DNS in the free plan, which would’ve been welcome for ad-blocking and parental control. That’s not to say other free VPNs are like this.

Some are borderline dangerous to use, as they store logs and fail to protect your connection properly. Some of them include Hola VPN, Betternet, Urban VPN, and Turbo VPN. The latter is especially notorious for IP leaks that plague the experience.

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access have no such inconveniences. Check our NordVPN review we did recently and you’ll see what’s up.

Simultaneous Connections

The last thing we’ll point out is simultaneous connections. VPN apps for Android that are free don’t support them. You’ll be able to protect only your phone. To use a VPN on another device, you’ll have to disconnect from the VPN on your phone instead. Such a chore.

NordVPN has 10, ExpressVPN 8, and Private Internet Access unlimited connections per account. We don’t need to explain why these options are much better and more convenient. Simultaneously, they offer better device compatibility, so they’re far more advanced.

How to Set UP a Free VPN on Android

If you know how to install any application on your Android device, you’ll know how to use a VPN. Still, if you’re unsure and you haven’t used a VPN yet, here is our step-by-step guide.

1. Subscribe to a service from our list. NordVPN is our go-to option. If you want a really free Android VPN, sign up for ProtonVPN, Hide.me, or PrivadoVPN.
2. Go to Google Play and search for the provider you subscribed to.
3. Press “Install” on the VPN of your choice and wait for it to finish.
4. Once it’s done, press “Open” to access the app.
5. Sign in with your credentials from Step 1.
6. Connect to a server and enjoy your privacy and security.

Summary

We hope this guide has been helpful. This ranking of amazing free VPNs for Android has plentiful options, all offering something for everyone. We prefer the first 3, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. They’re far more reliable and generous.

However, their downside is that they’re not really free but rather for only 30 days. Now, if you don’t mind multiple limitations and you want a provider that costs nothing forever, consider Proton VPN, Hide.me, or PrivadoVPN. There will be trade-offs.

They include limited speed, the lack of P2P and streaming, and even some absent security features. These providers are safe and secure, however. Our team would never recommend VPNs that keep logs or fail to provide proper protection.

For more information, you can refer to our guide about the safest VPNs right now. Spoiler alert – the ones we mentioned in this ranking belong to that group!

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